Govt to support agriculture with subsidies on technology

TIRANA, July 25 – Government says it is examining the possibility of providing subsidies on technological investments in agriculture to improve the competitiveness of this vital sector which employs half of the country’s population. The subsidies will also help increase exports of Albanian agricultural products, which have been on track this summer, rising by up to 35 percent. Traders say they would be able to sign more sale contracts abroad if they selected and packaged their products better.
Ndoc Fasllija, Albania’s deputy Agriculture Minister says exports of “Made in Albania” fruit and vegetables are expected to reach 45,000 tons per month at the end of August, compared to an average of 35,000 tons per month during this year.
The ministry says these products, mainly produced in the Albanian Western Lowlands have been successfully exported to regional, European Union and Baltic countries.
Albania’s agricultural product exports start in winter with leek, spinach and cabbage to continue in summer with peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, watermelon, melon and apples at the end of the year.
The Ministry says investments by migrants have brought new experience and incentives in Albania. “Farmers are being oriented toward marketing, quality of products and the technology they use. All of this is a good omen for the further development of Albanian agricultural exports and agriculture in general,” says the ministry in a statement.
Domestic agricultural production was the key factor for returning inflation rate within the central bank’s target last June. INSTAT data show the Consumer Price Index was up 3.9 percent year-on-year in June 2011, 0.1 percent below the Bank of Albania’s 3ѱ percent target band.
Increasing the competitiveness of domestic agricultural products and meeting quality standards remains a key challenge for the Albanian government. Agriculture Ministry officials say state budget funds for agriculture will increase by 15 percent each year with the target of reaching 100 million dollars in 2013. Agriculture products currently meet 70 percent of the country’s needs but the sector remains highly underdeveloped.
German ambassador to Albania Carola M